Sonara
JF-Expert Member
- Oct 2, 2008
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[h=1]Berlusconi loses last appeal against fraud conviction and is handed four-year jail term for using offshore firms to dodge taxes[/h]
Silvio Berlusconi tonight lost his final appeal against a conviction for tax fraud.
The decision by Italys Supreme Court marks the first time a guilty verdict against the former prime minister has been upheld.
But he will not yet be barred from public office as judges are still to determine the length of his ban.
Lost appeal: Italy's highest court handed billionaire media magnate Silvio Berlusconi (file picture) a jail term for using offshore companies to dodge Italian taxes in the acquisition of Hollywood films for his TV networks
'Justice': People celebrate in Rome after the Supreme Court upheld Berlusconi's conviction for tax fraud
Opinions heard: A man displays a poster depicting Berlusconi as he demonstrates in front of Italy's supreme court building in Rome
The 76-year-old has faced 20 years of legal skirmishes and at least two dozen trials since entering politics in 1994, but all previous convictions have been thrown out, overturned on appeal or timed out.
But today Italys highest court handed the billionaire media magnate a four-year jail sentence for using offshore companies to dodge Italian taxes in the acquisition of Hollywood films for his TV networks.
However, under an amnesty law, this has been reduced to one year a punishment he will most likely serve under house arrest or through community service.
Meanwhile, judges refused to uphold a five-year ban from public office, instead sending it back for judicial review.
Waving: Francesca Pascale, the girlfriend of Berlusconi, at the window of Grazioli Palace, Berlusconi's residence in Rome, as they waited for the verdict of the court in Rome
Announcement: President of Italy's highest court Antonio Esposito, third from left, reads the sentence confirming a four-year term for Berlusconi for tax fraud in Rome today
Hearing: People gather outside Italy's highest court building where Berlusconi's case on tax fraud was decided
This means that for now Berlusconi, who has no official role in government, can continue leading his centre-right People of Freedom (PDL) party and sitting as a senator in Parliament.
'Honour and solidarity with Silvio Berlusconi, who is certainly more innocent and clean than those who unjustly condemned him'
Luca DAlessandro, MP in Silvio Berlusconis party
He is expected to be placed under house arrest from October, which will prevent him from attending. Even with this restriction he will remain an MP, pending the review of his ban.
Berlusconi, who has always claimed he is the victim of a left-wing conspiracy among the judiciary, was not in court but awaited the news at home.
Members of the PDL, which is in an uneasy coalition with the centre-left Democratic Party, have threatened to bring down the government in retaliation for a conviction.
Luca DAlessandro, an MP in Berlusconis party, said: Honour and solidarity with Silvio Berlusconi, who is certainly more innocent and clean than those who unjustly condemned him
- Silvio Berlusconi has deflected dozens of court cases and scandals
- But Italy's highest court has handed 76-year-old four-year jail sentence
- Dodged Italian taxes in acquisition of Hollywood films for TV networks
- His sentence will served through community service or house arrest
- Berlusconi's term has been reduced to one year under amnesty law
Silvio Berlusconi tonight lost his final appeal against a conviction for tax fraud.
The decision by Italys Supreme Court marks the first time a guilty verdict against the former prime minister has been upheld.
But he will not yet be barred from public office as judges are still to determine the length of his ban.
The 76-year-old has faced 20 years of legal skirmishes and at least two dozen trials since entering politics in 1994, but all previous convictions have been thrown out, overturned on appeal or timed out.
But today Italys highest court handed the billionaire media magnate a four-year jail sentence for using offshore companies to dodge Italian taxes in the acquisition of Hollywood films for his TV networks.
However, under an amnesty law, this has been reduced to one year a punishment he will most likely serve under house arrest or through community service.
Meanwhile, judges refused to uphold a five-year ban from public office, instead sending it back for judicial review.
This means that for now Berlusconi, who has no official role in government, can continue leading his centre-right People of Freedom (PDL) party and sitting as a senator in Parliament.
'Honour and solidarity with Silvio Berlusconi, who is certainly more innocent and clean than those who unjustly condemned him'
Luca DAlessandro, MP in Silvio Berlusconis party
He is expected to be placed under house arrest from October, which will prevent him from attending. Even with this restriction he will remain an MP, pending the review of his ban.
Berlusconi, who has always claimed he is the victim of a left-wing conspiracy among the judiciary, was not in court but awaited the news at home.
Members of the PDL, which is in an uneasy coalition with the centre-left Democratic Party, have threatened to bring down the government in retaliation for a conviction.
Luca DAlessandro, an MP in Berlusconis party, said: Honour and solidarity with Silvio Berlusconi, who is certainly more innocent and clean than those who unjustly condemned him
